Apparatus for separating flock from an air stream



Sept. 10,1968 RSTAHEL. 3,400,518

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLOCK FROM AN AIR STREAM Filed Sept. 16, 1966FIE/.3

9 -LLLLLLLLiL ILLLL INVENTOR. PA u; STA HEI- BY I ATTO NE'YS UnitedStates PatentO APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLOCK FROM AN AIR STREAM PaulStaheli, Wilen, near Wil, Switzerland, assignor to Rieter Machine Works,Ltd. Filed Sept. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 580,115

Claims priority, application Switzerland, Apr. 5, 1966,

5,009/66 14 Claims. (Cl. 55-428) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a cardfeed system wherein a stream of air is used to transport loosenedfibrous flock to a spinning machine, the flock containing air stream isdirected through the filling shaft and thence through the separatingwall so that the flock is separated out of the air stream and depositedin the filling shaft. The flock deposited in the filling shaft isremoved in a wad by the wad forming rollers at the base of the fillingshaft.

This invention relates to an apparatus for separating flock. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for separatingflock from a stream of transporting air.

Generally, after being removed from such devices as mechanical baledisintegrators, mixing bale openers and beater machines in a spinningsystem, cotton flock has been transported by streams of air to fillingshafts of carding machines. These filling shafts have in some systemsbeen arranged in series with aerodynamic deflecting means positionedrelative to the shafts so that only a very small quantity of air hasescaped from the shafts in comparison to the total quantity of air whilea fraction of the transported flock has been deposited in each shaft inorder to insure that all of the shafts have remained filled. While thesesystems have had no moving parts for operation, the systems have thedisadvantage that the plurality of filling shafts must be set in series.

In other systems, separator heads having sieve-drum separators have beenused although such has required moving parts. This has involved greaterexpense as well as a certain degree of inspection and maintenance.Further, these systems have separated the total quantity of flock out ofthe transporting air stream so that each filling shaft has required aseparate branch conduit leading into the shaft. Thus, notwithstandingthat sieve-drums necessarily produce agglomerations of fibrous flockwhich impair uniform deposition, charging of a plurality of fillingshafts set in series by means of a single transportation conduit cannotbe realized with sieve-drums.

In order to overcome the disadvantages of these above systems, flockfilling shafts have been provided with perforated walls so that theentire flock transporting air stream could be directed into the fillingshafts and subsequently separated from the flock upon passin through theperforated wall. These filling shafts have been provided with a seriesof weight-loaded pivotable flaps arranged in shingle fashion on theperforated wall in order to obtain a reliable filling of the shafts fromthe bottom to the top and to inhibit uncontrolled accumulation of theflock on the perforated wall thereby preventing plugging of the wall.The flaps have been lifted directly above the level of the fibers by theair stream so as to control and limit deposition of the flock. However,the flaps have in some instances been deranged resulting in plugging ofthe perforations and improper deposition of the flock.

Generally, the invention eliminates the drawbacks of the heretofore useddevices in separating loosened fibrous flock out of a stream of air asindicated through a simpli- Patented Sept. 10, 168

fied form of construction of a filling shaft. Also, the inventionprovides for the pneumatic charging of one or more filling shafts by asingle flock-transporting conduit so that a part or the whole of theflock-transporting air stream can be separated out in one or morefilling shafts. The deposited flock is compacted not only by the weightof the column of fibrous material above but also by an above normal airpressure of the air stream delivered from the conduit in the fillingshaft. The fibrous material in the lower end of filling shaft is fed toan opening or fine-opening machine such, for example, as a carder.

The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of filling shaftsconnected to a common pneumatic flocktransporting conduit. Each fillingshaft is provided at the bottom with a wad forming means and along atleast one side with a channel which ends in a chamber at the lower endand which is placed under a lower pressure than the filling shaft. Thechannel is separated from the filling shaft by a partition having aplurality of vertically disposed narrow slits of a width less than thesize of the flock being deposited. The partition permits a uniformaccumulation of flock across the entire breadth of the filling shaftwhile allowing passage of the entire air stream through the fillingshaft and channel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to fill a plurality offilling shafts with flock from a single air transporting conduit.

It is another object of the invention to provide for the uniformaccumulation of flock across the breadth of a filling shaft.

It is another object of the invention to conduct a stream of flocktransporting air through a filling shaft in entirety.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an individual flock filling shaft in a section alongthe line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view taken on line II-II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken on line III-III of FIG 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates avariant of the form of construction of the shaftcross section analogous to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a variant of the withstanding organs of the fillershaft in section;

FIG. 6 illustrates a double-flow shaft as a variant, in cross section;and

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevational view of a plurality of flock shaftsset in series.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an apparatus for separating flock which ispositioned between a mixing bale-opener (not shown) and a spinningmachine (not shown) includes an air-conveying conduit 1 for conveyingopenedout fibrous flock 2 under an above normal pressure p from themixing bale-opener into a head 3 of a filling shaft 4. The filling shaft4 is formed with a vertical wall 5 having a plurality of verticallydisposed narrow slits 6, for example, of 3 mm. to 6 mm. wide, whichseparates the filling shaft 4 from a contiguous outflow channel 7. Thechannel 7 is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed individualpassages 8 running the length of the channel 7, each of which passages 8is in communication with a slit 6 in the wall 5 of the filling shaft 4.

In order to form the separating wall 5 with the slits 6 and passages 8,the interior of the filling shaft 4 is provided with a plurality ofvertically disposed L-shaped plates 10 fastened to an outer wall 9 ofthe filling shaft. The lower ends of the plates 10 are arranged so thatthe slits form a comb open at the bottom. Also, a plate 7' is disposedacross the tops of the plates 10 to make the channel 7 of less heightthan the filling shaft 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the separating wall 5 can alternatively be formedby vertically disposed T-scction plates having webs 12 and flat plates13 in alternating fashion at a spacing to provide a passage 11 between apair of webs 12 with two slits 14.

The lower end of the filling shaft 4 receives the fibrous flock 2 forcompaction of the deposited flock 15 into a wad for withdrawal by a wadforming means which consists of a pair of rollers 16, 17 positioned atthe end of the filling shaft 4. The rollers 16, 17 which are driven atthe same peripheral speed include a sieve-drum positioned directly belowthe outflow channel 7 and a solid drum which is mounted to press againstthe sieve-drum under a suitable spring force. The sieve-drum is placedunder a pressure p being lower than the pressure 17 at the top of theoutflow channel 7 and is covered exteriorly by a housing 19 whichemerges from the channel 7. The outlet pipe 18 is connected to theinterior of the sievedrum 17 and for this purpose projects through thehousing wall'covering the sieve-drum at one end. Thus air can only bedrawn into the sieve-drum through the outflow channel when the fillingshaft 4 has been filled somewhat. Prior to or during the very firstflock deposition obviously the air will be sucked into the sieve-drumfrom the shaft 15.

Referring to FIG. 5, instead of the sieve-drum arrangement, the Wadforming and withdrawing device may consist of a pair of solid rollers20, 21 which are of about the same size and which rotate at the sameperipheral speed in counter direction. In this case, the outflow channel22 which ends on a slant opens directly into an interconnected outletchannel 23. Also, the slits in the separating wall 24 of the fillingshaft extend to the solid roller 20 disposed below the channel 22.

Referring to FIG. 6, the filling shaft can be formed with a pair ofduplicate outflow channels 30, 31 disposed on opposite sides of thefilling shaft which communicate with a common outlet pipe.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of filling shafts 25, 26, 27 each ofwhich includes a separating head 28, 29, 29' are disposed in the path ofthe flock-transporting air stream so that the air stream can passtransversely through the foremost separating heads 23, 29 with theremainder of the flock-transporting air stream passing into the lastseparating head 29. Thus, the last filling shaft 27 receives the flocknot deposited in the other filling shafts 25, 26 so that a return of thetransporting medium with any excess flock is unnecessary.

By way of example, the separating apparatus of the invention has anoutflow channel 1 meter wide (approximately the width of the cardingmachine) and 40 mm. deep. The filling shaft is as wide and is 70 to 100mm. deep. The total height of the filling shaft is approximately 2meters so that with a 75% degree of filling, 2 kg. of cotton iscontained in the filling shaft. Further, with an input pressure p of 30to 50 mm. of water-column conducted into the head of the filling shaftand an output pressure p of about mm. of water-column at the lower endof the outflow passage, the flock laden air stream flows into thefilling shaft and thence through the slits of the separating wall underthe influence of the lower pressure p into the outflow channel. Becauseof the vertical disposition of the slits, the deposited flock materialdoes not remain suspended in front of the slits, but slides downwardunder gravity without passing through the slits into the outflowchannel. However, should a few rare very small flocks pass through theslits, they are returned to the filling shaft by means of the sieve-drumat the bottom or else eliminated by direct removal without causing anytrouble. After the shaft is filled up to a certain height depending onthe conditions and relationships, for example 75 a state of equilibriumbecomes formed between the new separation of flock and the speed ofwithdrawal of the wad that is formed. The slits above the column ofmaterial remain clean and an approximately constant quantity of airescapes through the outflow channel. The pressure relationships and,thus, the density of the accumulation remain approximately stable forthe constant column of material whereas, if the separating wall wereprovided with a sieve, the sieve would become permanently plugged-upafter a short time.

Having thus described the invention, it is not intended that it be solimited as changes may be readily made therein without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the subjectmatter described above and shown in the drawings be interpreted asillustrative and not in alimiting sense.

What is claimed is:

p 1. An apparatus for separating loosened fibrous flock from atransporting air stream comprising:

a flock-transporting conduit for conducting a flocktransporting airstream at a first pressure,

at least one filling shaft connected to said conduit receiving theflock-transporting air stream for depositing of the flock therein,

at least one outflow channel contiguous to said filling shaft forreceiving the air stream at a second pressure less than said firstpressure,

a wad forming means positioned below said filling shaft and channel forwithdrawing the deposited flock, and a vertically disposed separatingwall between said filling shaft and said outflow channel for separatingthe flock from the air stream, said wall having a plurality ofvertically disposed slits for preventing passage of the flocktherethrough whereby the flock slides down said wall to obtain a uniformdeposition of the flock over the width of said shaft and the entire airstream passes through said shaft. 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim1 wherein the slits of said wall are open at the lower ends thereof.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wad forming meansincludes a pair of rollers pressed against each other, one of saidrollers being a sieve-drum disposed under said channel.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein an outflow channel isdisposed on each of two opposite sides of said filling shaft.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slits of said wallextend to the lower end of said filling shaft.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slits of said wallextend the height of said channel.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slits are 3 to 6 mm.wide.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slits are spacedapart a distance approximately equal to the width thereof.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said channel includes aplurality of vertically disposed passages in communication with saidfilling shaft through the slits in said wall.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said passagescommunicate with said filling shaft through one slit.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said separating wallincludes a plurality of spaced parallel L- shaped plates forming saidplurality of passages.

12. An apparatus for separating loosened fibrous flock from atransporting air stream comprising:

a filling shaft having a wad forming discharge device, aflock-transporting conduit interconnected to said filling shaft andmaintained under an excess pressure,

an outfiow channel parallel to said filling shaft and terminating belowsaid filling shaft in a space maintained under a pressure lower thansaid excess pressure, and I a common separating wall between saidfilling shaft and said outflow channel having a plurality of verticallydisposed narrow slits, each of the slits being 5 6 of a width smallerthan the size of fibrous flock to be 14. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 13 wherein an deposited. outflow channel defines said area. 13. Anapparatus for forming and condensing a flock column from a stream offlock-transporting air compris- References Cited mgr fin. h ft f th t ffi kt 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS a mg s a or recelvmg e s ream 0eransporting air and having a wad forming means mounted 1720702 7/1929Streun 55417 X below the lower end thereof for forming a wad from 3814/1932 55443 the flock column in said filling shaft; 1,975,335 /1934591th 55-400 X a space adjoining said filling shaft, said space being 102,024,469 12/1935 h l 55-430 X maintained at a lower pressure than saidfilling shaft 2,253,698 8/1941 Goldsmlth 55428 to receive the air of thestream of air passing from 2,639,780 5/ 1953 Hardy X said fining h ft;2,712,858 7/1955 Wintenmute. an air outlet wall disposed between saidfilling shaft 2,720,938 10/1955 Cates.

and said space, said 'wall having a plurality of ver- 2,878,893 3/ 1959Madsen 55432 tically disposed slits for permitting passage of the airtherethrough from said filling shaft into said space FOREIGN PATENTS andfor separating the flock from the flock-transport- 1,302,240 7/ 1962France.

ing air stream to deposit the separated flock in said 1,369,176 6/1964France.

filling shaft in a substantially uniformmanner over the width of saidfilling shaft. HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington, 0.0. 20231 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,400 ,518September 10 1968 Paul Staheli It is certified that error appears in theabove identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 2, "area" should read space Signed and sealed this 10thday of February 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

